Battling breast cancer

Symposium speakers. (Submitted photo )

April 25, 2012|By Shani McManus, Staff Writer

Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service of Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach recently sponsored an all-day Breast Cancer Symposium at the Weisman Community Center in Delray Beach which included participants from throughout Palm Beach County.

Dina Roth Port, author of "Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life-Changing Decisions" was keynote speaker, along with Lisa Marton, a previvor featured in the book who co-chaired the event with Michele Blair.

Women of all ages from throughout Palm Beach County had an opportunity to learn from top experts about a wide range of topics related to breast cancer prevention, treatment and more.

"Education and information are everything when it comes to prevention in breast cancer and this symposium will provide the best of both," Marton said.

The symposium included a variety of breakout discussion groups, as well as an onsite visit by the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Mammavan.

"While Jewish women of Eastern European heritage are more likely to be at heightened genetic risk, increasing awareness of breast cancer is important for every woman," Blair, a breast cancer survivor said. "We all know someone living with, or who has experienced breast cancer, and only a small proportion of cases are actually linked to hereditary factors."

"Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service was thrilled to partner with the South Florida affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for a wonderful morning of education and awareness to our community," Danielle N. Hartman, RRJFS president and CEO said. "Whether a previvor, survivor, or friend of one, our symposium offered a great forum to learn from each other and many experts in the field about the latest medical breakthroughs in breast cancer testing, procedures and treatments."

One of RRJFS's main goals was to identify interest in the community for starting a breast cancer support group, Hartman said.

"And based on feedback from those in attendance, it sounds like this will become a reality," she noted. "We were very satisfied with the number of attendees, just under 100, and their enthusiasm and passion."